Week 9: Qualitative Methods
What is the lived experience of nurses working in healthcare during the year 2020?
What is the experience of patients when nurses utilize evidence-based practice (EBP)?
The above questions are examples of qualitative research questions. Qualitative studies allow for a broader, more complex study of individuals and factors, than that of quantitative studies. These studies provide a depth to the research beyond the data provided in quantitative research.
For example, consider the use of quantitative data in the study of end-of-life care. While quantitative data may certainly provide important data concerning patients, facilities, and caregivers, the data would certainly be missing the complexity of the human experience that qualitative research could offer through interviewing those in the experience.
This week, you will begin your analysis of qualitative research methods. You will consider how you might approach a qualitative study and evaluate the methods and considerations used in qualitative research. You will complete your CITI Program Training and will also continue working on your Article Critique Assignment.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Formulate a research question for a qualitative research study
- Analyze methods of qualitative research
- Analyze ethical considerations for qualitative research questions
- Complete human protection and ethics in research training program
- Analyze strengths and weaknesses of research studies*
- Analyze impact of research studies on nursing practice*
- Recommend changes to study designs and methodologies to support research studies*
*Assigned in Week 7 of Module 3 and submitted in Week 10 of Module 4
Week 9: Qualitative Methods
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Using Qualitative Research to Inform Evidence-Based Practice
- “Qualitative researchers are motivated to know more about a phenomenon, a social process, or a culture from the perspectives of the people who are experiencing the phenomenon, involved in the social process, or living in the culture (Gray & Grove, 2020).
Qualitative research requires extensive time commitment and dedication. While all research can be rigorous and time consuming, by nature, the qualitative researcher seeks to build connections and trust with participants, which adds an additional layer of dedication. However, before research can even begin, researchers must first develop a research question. - Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Qualitative research questions tend to be broader than quantitative research questions. In a qualitative study, the researcher seeks to describe an experience or a phenomenon, so the questions are typically more global in scope. Additionally, many research questions describe and guide the research purpose, versus state it directly. Oftentimes phrases such as, “lived experience, framework or theoretical development, society, culture, or narrative” are used to describe the purpose (Gray & Grove, 2020).
For this Discussion, reflect on an area of interest and develop your own qualitative research question. How might you approach this topic and purpose? What types of research methods and design might you employ to address your qualitative research question?
Reference: Gray, J. R., & Grove, S. K. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Elsevier.
To develop a qualitative research question, it’s essential to identify an area of interest that you’re passionate about and where qualitative inquiry can provide valuable insights. Once you’ve identified your area of interest, you can formulate a research question that aligns with the principles of qualitative research. Here’s how you can approach this:
- **Identify an Area of Interest**: Start by identifying a topic within nursing or healthcare that you’re interested in exploring qualitatively. This could be a phenomenon, social process, cultural aspect, or experience relevant to nursing practice.
- **Formulate a Research Question**: Develop a research question that reflects your area of interest and aligns with the principles of qualitative inquiry. Qualitative research questions are often broad and exploratory, aiming to understand experiences, perspectives, or phenomena in-depth. Consider using phrases like “lived experience,” “meaning-making,” or “understanding the process of” in your question.
For example:
– What are the experiences of nurses transitioning from bedside care to leadership roles in healthcare organizations?
– How do patients with chronic illnesses perceive and manage their symptoms in their daily lives?
– What are the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding childbirth among immigrant women in urban settings?
- **Clarify the Purpose of the Study**: In qualitative research, the research question often describes and guides the purpose of the study rather than stating it directly. Consider how your research question reflects the broader purpose of understanding, describing, or interpreting a particular phenomenon or experience.
- **Approach and Methodology**: Reflect on how you might approach your chosen topic and purpose. Consider the methods and design that would best allow you to explore your research question in-depth and capture the richness of the data.
– **Data Collection Methods**: Think about the most appropriate methods for collecting data, such as interviews, focus groups, observations, or document analysis.
– **Research Design**: Consider the overall design of your study, whether it’s phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, narrative inquiry, or another qualitative approach. Choose a design that aligns with your research question and the nature of the phenomenon you’re exploring.
For example, if your research question focuses on understanding the experiences of nurses transitioning to leadership roles, you might employ a phenomenological approach with in-depth interviews to capture the essence of their experiences.
- **Ethical Considerations**: Remember to consider ethical considerations related to your research, including informed consent, confidentiality, and the protection of participants’ rights and well-being.
By following these steps, you can develop a qualitative research question that aligns with your interests, reflects the principles of qualitative inquiry, and sets the stage for a meaningful exploration of your chosen topic in nursing practice.
Week 9: Qualitative Methods
To Prepare:
- Review the Learning Resources for this week and reflect on qualitative research methods and designs.
- Select a topic or issue in nursing practice to focus on for this Discussion.
- Consider a qualitative research question that you might develop to address the topic or issue in nursing practice that you selected.
- Reflect on how a qualitative research design might best support a research study to address your research question.
Topic: Burnout among Nurses in Critical Care Units
Qualitative Research Question:
What are the lived experiences and coping strategies of nurses working in critical care units who are experiencing burnout?
Rationale:
Burnout among nurses, especially those working in critical care units, is a significant issue that can impact patient care, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. Understanding the lived experiences of nurses experiencing burnout and their coping strategies can provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to burnout and potential interventions to support nurses in managing stress and preventing burnout.
Qualitative Research Design:
A phenomenological approach would best support a research study to address the research question. Phenomenology focuses on exploring the essence of lived experiences and gaining a deep understanding of how individuals make sense of their experiences. In this study, phenomenology would allow researchers to delve into the subjective experiences of nurses experiencing burnout in critical care units, capturing the richness and complexity of their experiences.
Data Collection Methods:
Semi-structured interviews would be an appropriate data collection method for this study. Conducting individual interviews would provide nurses with a safe and confidential space to share their experiences openly and in-depth. The use of open-ended questions would allow participants to express their thoughts, feelings, and coping strategies freely, providing rich qualitative data for analysis.
Data Analysis:
Thematic analysis would be suitable for analyzing the qualitative data collected from the interviews. Thematic analysis involves identifying patterns, themes, and meanings within the data, allowing researchers to gain insight into common experiences and coping strategies among nurses experiencing burnout in critical care units.
Overall, a qualitative research design employing phenomenology and semi-structured interviews would enable researchers to explore the lived experiences and coping strategies of nurses experiencing burnout in critical care units comprehensively. The findings from this study could inform interventions and support strategies to address burnout among nurses, ultimately improving both nurse well-being and patient care outcomes.
By Day 3 of Week 9
Post a qualitative research question in relation to your topic or issue of interest. Explain why a qualitative research design is best suited to support this research question. Then, describe potential ethical considerations you should keep in mind in relation to your qualitative research question. Be specific and provide examples.
Qualitative Research Question:
How do nurses in critical care units perceive the impact of organizational culture on their experiences of burnout?
Rationale:
This research question aims to explore nurses’ subjective perceptions of the influence of organizational culture on their experiences of burnout. A qualitative research design is best suited to support this research question because it allows for an in-depth exploration of nurses’ lived experiences, perspectives, and interpretations. Qualitative methods, such as interviews or focus groups, can provide rich, nuanced data that capture the complexity of nurses’ perceptions and the contextual factors shaping their experiences within the organizational culture of critical care units.
Potential Ethical Considerations:
- Informed Consent: Ensuring that participants fully understand the nature and purpose of the study is crucial. Researchers should provide clear explanations of the research objectives, potential risks and benefits, voluntary participation, and the right to withdraw from the study at any time without consequences. For example, nurses should be informed that their participation is voluntary and that declining to participate will not affect their employment status or relationships with colleagues.
- Confidentiality and Anonymity: Protecting the confidentiality and anonymity of participants is essential to maintain trust and minimize potential harm. Researchers should take measures to ensure that participants’ identities and sensitive information are kept confidential. For instance, using pseudonyms or codes to identify participants in transcripts and publications can help maintain anonymity.
- Respect for Participants’ Autonomy: Respecting participants’ autonomy involves honoring their right to make informed decisions about their involvement in the research. Researchers should obtain voluntary informed consent from participants and ensure that they have the freedom to withdraw from the study at any point without coercion. Additionally, researchers should be mindful of power dynamics, particularly if participants are also employees within the same organization, to avoid undue influence or pressure to participate.
- Minimizing Harm: Researchers should be mindful of the potential emotional or psychological distress that discussing experiences of burnout may evoke in participants. It’s essential to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment during data collection and to provide resources for emotional support if needed. Researchers should also consider debriefing sessions or referrals to counseling services for participants who may require additional support.
- Transparency and Honesty: Researchers should be transparent about their intentions, methodologies, and potential biases throughout the research process. Maintaining honesty and integrity in all interactions with participants fosters trust and credibility in the research findings. For example, researchers should disclose any conflicts of interest or affiliations that may influence the research process or outcomes.
By addressing these ethical considerations, researchers can conduct qualitative research on sensitive topics such as nurses’ experiences of burnout in critical care units in an ethical and responsible manner, while upholding the rights and well-being of participants.
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An Original Human-Crafted Assignment
By Day 6 of Week 9
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
- Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
- Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
- Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
- Suggest an alternative perspective based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
- Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.
Colleague 1:
Your research question about nurses’ perceptions of the impact of organizational culture on burnout in critical care units is quite intriguing. I wonder if you’ve considered how factors such as leadership styles, teamwork dynamics, and communication patterns within the organizational culture might influence nurses’ experiences of burnout. Exploring these aspects in depth could provide valuable insights into the specific mechanisms through which organizational culture affects nurse well-being in critical care settings. Have you come across any literature or theories that address these potential influences?
Colleague 2:
Your qualitative research question on nurses’ coping strategies for burnout in critical care units is timely and relevant. I’m curious about the specific coping mechanisms that nurses might employ and how effective they perceive these strategies to be in mitigating burnout. Have you thought about incorporating a strengths-based approach in your study to identify resilience factors and protective factors that contribute to nurses’ ability to cope with burnout? Research suggests that focusing on strengths and resources can be empowering for participants and yield valuable insights into effective coping strategies. What are your thoughts on integrating a strengths-based perspective into your research design?
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 9 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 9 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 9
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 9 Discussion
Assignment 1: CITI Program Training
- As a doctorally-prepared nurse, you may have opportunities to collaborate in research activities in your practice. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) provides education on protection of human subjects. In the United States, the CITI Program is the training module that most research institutions use. Therefore, as a part of this course, you are required to successfully complete the CITI Program training by Day 7 of Week 9.
- Photo Credit: Андрей Яланский / Adobe Stock
This online course may take up to 8 hours to complete. You will receive an electronic Certificate of Completion upon successfully passing the training. You will submit this Certificate of Completion to the Walden University Institutional Review Board office when you submit an application to conduct research.
Week 9: Qualitative Methods
To Prepare:
- Follow the instructions on the CITI Program Learner Registration webpage to create your account (https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=154&icat=0&clear=1).
- Review the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide for step-by-step instructions on completing the registration process.
- Be sure to select Walden University under the “Select Your Organization Affiliation” section. If you do not select Walden University, you will not be able to access the training at no cost.
- Create and record your CITI Program User Name and Password for future reference.
It seems like you’re preparing to register for the CITI Program, which provides training in research ethics and compliance. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:
- **Go to the CITI Program Registration Page**: Visit the CITI Program website and navigate to the Learner Registration page using the provided link: [CITI Program Learner Registration](https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=154&icat=0&clear=1).
- **Follow the Instructions**: Read the instructions provided on the registration page carefully. Ensure that you understand the steps involved in creating your account.
- **Review the Registration Guide**: Take some time to review the CITI Program Learner Registration Guide for detailed, step-by-step instructions on completing the registration process. This guide should provide clarity on each stage of the registration process.
- **Select Walden University as Your Organization Affiliation**: When prompted to select your organization affiliation, make sure to choose Walden University from the list. This step is crucial, as selecting the correct organization ensures that you can access the required training at no cost.
- **Create Your User Name and Password**: Follow the prompts to create your CITI Program user name and password. Be sure to record this information securely for future reference.
- **Complete the Registration Process**: Fill out any additional required information to complete the registration process. Double-check that all details provided are accurate.
- **Access the Training Modules**: Once your registration is complete, you should be able to access the training modules relevant to your field of study or research. Begin with the modules required by your institution or program.
- **Keep Your Account Information Secure**: Remember to keep your CITI Program user name and password secure. Avoid sharing this information with others to protect the integrity of your account.
Following these steps should guide you through the CITI Program registration process smoothly. If you encounter any difficulties during registration or accessing the training modules, don’t hesitate to reach out to the CITI Program support team for assistance.
To complete:
By Day 7 of Week 9
- Complete the five required Citi Program training modules as well as the two elective modules.
- Copy and paste the Certificate of Completion into a Word document and save the file as a “.doc” or “.rtf” file.
By Day 7
Submit your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 9.
Note: This Assignment must be completed by Day 7 of Week 9 in order for you to successfully complete this course.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 9 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 9 Assignment You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer Find the document you saved as “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 9 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 9 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 9
To participate in this Assignment:
Week 9 Assignment
Assignment 2: Article Critique
Continue to work on your article critique, assigned in Week 7 and due in Week 10. Continue evaluating your selected research article and developing the required sections of your paper.
You are not required to submit this Assignment this week. Your article critique is due by Day 7 of Week 10.
What’s Coming Up in Week 10?
- Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
Next week, you will continue your exploration of qualitative research. You will complete your Article Critique Assignment submission. You will also analyze and interpret the use of qualitative research methods and evaluate results derived from conducting qualitative research.
Week 9: Qualitative Methods
To prepare for your Discussion this week, here are some prompts and suggestions to guide your development of a qualitative research question:
- **Selecting a Topic or Issue**: Reflect on your area of interest within nursing practice. What specific topic or issue resonates with you and warrants further exploration? Consider aspects of nursing practice, patient experiences, healthcare delivery, or any other relevant area.
- **Developing a Research Question**: Formulate a qualitative research question that aligns with your chosen topic or issue. Remember that qualitative research questions tend to be broader and exploratory, aiming to understand experiences, perceptions, or phenomena from the perspective of those involved.
- **Justifying Qualitative Research Design**: Explain why a qualitative research design is the most appropriate approach to address your research question. Consider the depth, richness, and complexity of human experiences that qualitative methods can capture compared to quantitative approaches.
- **Ethical Considerations**: Identify potential ethical considerations relevant to your qualitative research question. These could include issues related to informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, power dynamics, and potential harm to participants. Provide examples to illustrate your points.
- **Practical Implications**: Reflect on the potential implications of your proposed qualitative research for nursing practice. How might the insights gained from your study inform clinical practice, healthcare policy, or future research endeavors?
By addressing these prompts, you’ll be able to develop a well-rounded qualitative research question and engage in a meaningful discussion with your peers. Looking forward to reading your insights and contributions!
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